Pesky Food Snob disagrees about pairing wines with McDonalds paper- or plastic-wrapped anything. (See previous post.)
Complicated grape blends and top vintages are not a match for this straight-on salted, sweetened, melt in-your-mouth fare.
But blue agave may be worth a try.....Aka tequila, on ice. Mixers include fresh lime juice and Cointreau. Numero uno pairing choice: French fries.
Baseball Cap, have you tried absinthe with McDonald's? What happened?
Great Taste, aka Chef's Toque or Gourmanda Galore--that pompous writer on culinary wunderlust and Upper Midwest haut food cravings and crazes--is a "bad girl" when it comes to espresso. One might describe her habits as... "espressoholic."
She doesn't look at the clock before drinking....
She drinks espresso in the morning. And at night. Of course there's the afternoon pick-me-up. Decaf? What's the point?
Her motto: Have espresso machine, will travel. She takes her trusty Nespresso machine and capsules on the road.
She drinks at home, often alone. Coffee shops and cafes? Nuh-uh.
Most people behind the counter do not know how to make espresso. They know how to steam milk. They take a shot of espresso and pour about 20 ounces of steamy milk on it and call it a cappucino or a latte. (In America, is there a difference?) It doesn't matter whether she is in Manhattan or in Minnesota. (Though in Manhattan you may periodically luck out --but why chance it?) Italy is a good place for consistently great espresso--in cafes, ristorantes, and so on. Unless one plans to move there it's too far to go for espresso--but then again, ahem, how can one miss the upcoming Venice Biennale?
She'll settle for less, out of necessity. When in need, she will visit a coffee shop and ask for triple espresso straight up, with steamed milk on the side. Sometimes that request works out, as long as the beans and the espresso machine are good--which is less than 50 percent of the time. But she'll try to drink it if it is at all palatable.
If company calls, she'll immediately offer some espresso, in hopes they'll say yes and she can make a cup for herself as well.
Espressoholics walk around and look just like everyone else. So it may be hard to identify one. But now Great Taste has confessed. You are reading the words of one who drinks a lot of espresso. And she isn't apologizing for it.....She'll keep her tin of mints handy, though.
Ready for a barrel of foodie fun? Reserve for the "Progressive Beer Dinner" featuring three of the area's top restaurants--Sontes, Rochester; Nosh, Lake City; and The Rainbow Cafe, Pine Island--on April 16th.
The event kicks off at 5:30 pm with starters at Sontes, followed by a coach bus trip to Nosh for entrees. Then it's on to The Rainbow Cafe for three more courses, with departure at 9:30 pm for Sontes. Aboard the coach a beer class and tasting will be presented featuring Brooklyn Brewery.
A few of the dining highlights: locally raised braised oxtail tamale with grilled pear and Spanish onion salsa; locally raised adobo braised pork shoulder with local fresh goat cheese and polenta; and warm carrot cake with Delice de Bourgogne and mesquite honey "buttercream" and ancho chile toffee.
Event tickets, $125 each, include food, beer class, gratuity and transportation. Tax not included. Advance purchase required; call Sontes at 507-292-1628. In addition, rooms will be available at the Hilton Garden Inn, Rochester, for a special Progressive Dinner rate.
Are you:
A) Tired of buying/using so many glass and plastic bottles for your carbonated drinks?
B) Wishing your beverages had more or less fizz?
C) Seeking to make homemade drinks more delicious?
Great Taste is intrigued with the SodaStream Fizz Sparkling Water Maker, offered by Williams Sonoma. This gadget allows the user to have control over the amont of carbonation in beverages. It requires no electricity to use.
More here: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/sodastream-fizz-sparkling-water-maker/?pkey=cglswinbar
Much brew-haha over Brooklyn Center-based Surly Brewing Co. coming to town.
News from other PB bloggers:
http://postbulletin.typepad.com/kiger/2011/02/surly-to-celebrate-5th-in-roch.html
http://postbulletin.typepad.com/center_stage/
What's all the fuss about? If you look at ratings from BeerAdvocate, it's easier to get the picture. (Or should that be pitcher?*)
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/13014
*I have to ask my blogging compatriots and readers: Is there any place in Southeast MN where you can order Surly's on tap, at the moment?
Dry Soda Co.'s pop is an alternative when you want something more than a Perrier but you would rather not drink a 140-calorie can of Coca-Cola. A 12-ounce glass bottle of cucumber flavored Dry Soda goes down well at 45 calories.
The taste is glorious--refreshing and not overly sweet. More flavor choices include lavender and juniper berry. (These two are GG's faves.)
Though based in Seattle--which is more than 1,700 miles from Rochester--there is a green, locavore philosophy behind Dry Soda Co. and you can read about it: http://www.drysoda.com/about-dry-soda.php
Find Dry Soda at Zzest Market & Cafe, Rochester.
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If you have an espresso machine with steam attachment and not too many guests, considering finishing your holiday meal with a flourish. Ingredient list is short--though potentially pricey.
A quality caramel sauce, made with all-natural ingredients One ounce extra bitter chocolate (preferably Valrhona), shaved Whole milk |
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If you're passionate for margaritas and so picky about the ingredients that you prefer your own homemade drink to anything in a business establishment, then cheers to you:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/heather-taylor/chef-speak-tequila-tastin_b_527818.html
But let's float the question: What restaurant//bar makes the best margarita in Minnesota south of the Cities?
Here's the story:
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=438056
Is this an "ice breaker" for alcoholics being treated at Mayo Clinic?
Just how much fun is this event for clinic patients who are cautioned by their doctors to avoid alcoholic drinks?
Or is this a cheerful reminder for clinic personnel to get sloshed after work?
Will this bar bring out the ca-ching in blingy Rochester shoppers who usually prefer Apache?
The ultra-long ice bar is a sophomoric, lowbrow attempt to lure a crowd to spend bucks downtown. Why not skip the booze and have a fondue or gourmet hot chocolate event or soup contest....Or.....Scandinavian foods celebration or.....Ideas anyone?
GG
New and highly original ideas for toasting in the New Year....
http://www.boston.com/thingstodo/special/firstnight/champagnedrinks/<br>
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